Beach Camping Off the Beaten Path
Taking Your Solara on an Off-Grid Adventure
If you’ve ever dreamed about spending an extended time on what’s typically considered a “day boat,” this post may get your wheels turning. The S-250 CW and S-250 DC are well equipped for all-day fun, but what about spending a weekend camping? We put that question to the test and found these boats to be a fantastic camping companion.
What did we pack? We loaded the boat with the typical accessories and water toys: lifejackets, a safety kit, rods, tackle, a wakeboard, and full fresh water and fuel tanks. Then came the camping gear: tents, camp chairs, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, a portable power bank for charging devices, a Coleman dual burner stove, several 1lb propane tanks, a cast iron pan, a kettle, and an Aeropress. The cavernous forward storage compartment on the S-250 DC was an invaluable asset, allowing us to store a literal boatload of gear while maintaining a clean and clear deck. The S-250 CW also offers ample storage capacity in the spacious day cabin below decks.
What about food? We filled the S-250 DC’s integrated cooler to the brim with sandwiches, hot dogs, bacon, breakfast links, fresh lettuce, fruits and veggies, and a case of beer. In addition to the cooler, having a refrigerator on board makes it simple to store food for days at a time. Other non-perishables were stored in the large space under the port-side companion seat.
The Plan —
We decided upon a lake that was a six-hour drive from our headquarters, which got us out of our routine and into the actual greatness of the great outdoors. The lake had miles of sandy public shoreline to set up camp. We planned to spend three days on the lake, so we packed accordingly. Having a head with a holding tank brings the perfect amount of civilization to any camping trip.
What are Some Alternatives? — There are many ways to camp on a boat, whether it be at an inland destination or a sandy spoil island. Many parks and recreation areas across the nation feature launches, marina facilities, and campsites.
Here are a few destinations on the West Coast we’d like to try: Lake Wenatchee, Shasta Lake, Lake Tahoe, Lake Powell, and Lake Havasu.
What’s-to-do?
You might wonder, what would someone even do while camping on a boat? The best thing about that question is the answer depends on you! If you’re in the mood to just get away from the normal routine and relax on the beach, you could pitch camp, toss down a beach towel, and soak in the sun.
That being said, we packed in quite a few activities during our short trip. We spent time fishing, hiking to a nearby waterfall, swimming, wakeboarding, and just shooting the breeze along the shoreline.
If your campsite allows open fires, you might pack a six-string or a uke to bring the campsite to life. Whether you’ll be blasting around on an inner tube or just slow cruising along the shoreline in the evening, there’s no doubt that you’ll have plenty to do.